Written by Madeline Hyden, MGMA-ACMPE web content writer/editor

According to the new MGMA Performance and Practices of Successful Medical Groups: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data, 82.6 percent of better-performers felt that their practices relied on electronic information systems to help provide effective care. Here are a few ways how.

63.54 percent of better-performers use problem lists as a part of their EHR functionality
If you’re in the process of trying to meet meaningful use requirements, or looking to start that process, maintaining an up-to-date problem list is a part of the stage one criteria of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) meaningful use EHR incentive program. This includes a list of current and active diagnoses, as well as past diagnoses, that are relevant to the current care of the patient.

Different EHR platforms offer different styles of problem lists. If you’re shopping for a new EHR, consider these questions:

• Are you able to link a problem with a CPT or ICD-9/ ICD-10 code?
• Does the EHR force you to use a code instead of a text entry?
• Does the EHR’s problem list link to the patient’s assessment and plan? This allows you to easily complete the encounter and bill for it. 

56.25 percent of better-performers have EHRs that integrate with their practice billing and claims systems
Integrating your EHR with your practice management system (PMS) can be incredibly challenging, especially with limited training time and room for error.

However, this integration improves front and back office efficiency, decreases errors and can eventually improve your bottom line. Integrated systems prevent having to enter patient demographic information twice (once in the PMS and again in the EHR) and automated alerts in the EHR encourage more complete claims without missing information. This diminishes the chance of denied claims and improves reimbursement rates.

Before purchasing and implementing an EHR, make sure it interfaces with your current PMS and any other devices or equipment in your office. If you have already implemented an EHR, talk to your vendor about integration with your PMS. There may be a separate interface you can purchase that will link your systems.

55.21 percent of better-performers have drug formularies available in their EHRs
EHRs that offer functionality for drug formularies, the list of prescription drugs that are covered by a specific healthcare plan, enable users to electronically check if drugs are in a patient’s plan’s formulary.

Similar to problem lists, stage one of meaningful use requirements asks that practices have access to at least one internal or external drug formulary during their EHR reporting period.

Learn more about better-performing practices and how they operate in the MGMA Performance and Practices of Successful Medical Groups: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data.

Preparing for ICD-10 and 5010? Read five 5010 questions to ask your vendor and check out our meaningful use resources.

Have you implemented any of these EHR functionalities? How have they improved your practice? Let us know in the comment section below.